A photograph of forest trees surrounding a clearing.

This curated collection of resources provides a foundational learning experience on topics of forest carbon.

Carbon considerations can be integrated into climate adaptation or mitigation plans, and managing forests and ecosystems for carbon benefits can also support other natural resources management objectives, such as timber supply, wildlife habitat, or water quality. This collection includes five topic pages that narrate introductory information on forest carbon and management for land managers and woodland owners, along with additional resources to help round out this baseline carbon knowledge.

Photograph of a soil core.

Forests and the Global Carbon Cycle

Learn about the global carbon budget, including how land sinks and fossil fuel emissions affect carbon dioxide levels, forested carbon pools in the United States, and how carbon cycles naturally through the land and atmosphere.

Read the Forests and the Global Carbon Cycle topic page

 

Photograph of a tree trunk with a yellow ribbon tied around it.

Forest Carbon Uptake and Storage

Find out more about forested carbon pools, such as the size of different pools, duration of time carbon is within a specific pool, and the transfer of carbon between pools.

Read the Forest Carbon Uptake and Storage topic page

Photograph of a small maple seedling.

Forest Carbon Uptake and Storage Across Sites

Read about how carbon is influenced by forest characteristics such as stand age, tree species composition, structural diversity, soil properties, and climate, at a site-level scale.

Read the Forest Carbon Uptake and Storage Across Sites topic page

Photograph of tree seedlings.

Forest Management and Carbon Uptake and Storage

Learn about active forest management and carbon, with an emphasis on tree biomass, different spatial and time scales, harvested wood products, and minimizing carbon losses.

Read the Forest Management and Carbon Uptake and Storage topic page

Photograph of downed woody debris.

Natural Disturbance and Carbon Uptake and Storage

Read about the effects of different types of disturbances on forest carbon and ecosystem function, including fire, insects and disease, drought and extreme heat, and wind.

Read the Natural Disturbance and Carbon Uptake and Storage topic page

Photograph of a soil carbon kit.

Additional Carbon Learning Resources

This collection of topic pages is intended to provide managers with foundational forest carbon knowledge. The list below of additional resources can be used to expand this knowledge base with greater details on carbon science, modeling, and introductory management applications.